Spin wheel game having interchangeable faces and a spring-biased clicker element



July 21, 1964 HOFFMAN 3,141,674

SPIN WHEEL GAME HAVING INTERCHANGEABLE FACES AND A SPRING-BIASED CLICKERELEMENT Filed July 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. LOUIS HOFFMAN July21, 1964 L. HOFFMAN 3,141,674

SPIN WHEEL GAME HAVING INTERCHANGEABLE FACES AND A SPRING-BIASED CLICKERELEMENT Filed July 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l3 18 {I I6 22 15 I J is 22IG BC if INVENTOR.

LOUIS HOFFMAN I United States Patent s 141 674 srrN WHEEL GAME nrivnsonsrnnenas en- ABLE races AND A SPRING-BIASED errcrrnn ELEMENT LouisHoffman, Jamaica, N31. Ira-Ce Tool dz Metal Stamping 60., Inc., 70-43284th St, Glendale, N.Y.) Filed July 2, 1962, Ser. No. 2%,675

2 tillaims. (till. 273- 142) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in spin wheel games, sometimes designated spinners.

Essentially, these devices comprise a supporting frame on which a freelyrotatable wheel is mounted, the axis of rotation being substantiallyhorizontal. The wheel is radially divided into a plurality of spaceseach bearing a particular designation or numerical or other value forscore purposes. Between each pair of adjacent spaces, usually at theouter peripheral edge of the wheel, is a pin, and mounted on the framefor engagement with each said pin is a pawl or clicker. To play the gamethe wheel is manually rotated, and as each pin passes the clickerstation it engages the clicker and causes a clicking sound. Thisinteraction between pins and clicker also has the effect of slowing downand eventually stopping the wheel, with the clicker occupying a spacebetween two adjacent pins. The clicker now serves as a pointer orindicator with respect to said space, and the mark or reading in thatspace determines the score.

These devices are commonly used at carnivals and bazaars forfund-raising purposes. They are generally large in size and expensivelyconstructed to precision tolerances in order to assure a fair and equalchance to each participant and to avoid, to the extent possible, anydisputes as to outcome. These devices are intended for professional useand are not readily adapted to non-professional or home or play use.Furthermore, each such device is suited for a single game, played inaccordance with a single set of rules. And finally, each is providedwith complicated clicker means which frequently go out of order andsometimes fail to pinpoint or indicate a precise reading. These aredisadvantages which have not heretofore been solved, and certainly notin connection with a relatively small and inexpensive device suited fornon-professional use.

One object of this invention is the provision of a spin wheel or spinnerdevice of the character described which has all of the features of theprofessional models but is nonetheless adapted for non-professional use.It is relatively small in size, portable, relatively inexpensive,longlived, and generally fool-proof in operation. Its frame or stand isfoldable into relatively compact proportions, and it is thereforeadapted to occupy small shipping and storage space.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a spinwheel or spinner of the character described which may be provided withany number of different faces, each relating to a different game andgoverned by different rules. The wheel mechanism would remain preciselythe same; only the face would be changed. More specifically, a pluralityof interchangeable paper or plastic faces may be applied to the wheel,being held in place thereon either frictionally or by any other suitablemeans. These interchangeable faces may be mounted individually on thewheel, only one such face at a time, or a plurality of faces may bemounted thereon, only the outermost face being exposed for use. Theremaining faces would be retained on the Wheel solely for storingpurposes.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a very simplebut highly effective and fool-proof springurged pawl or clickermechanism. This mechanism con- 3,l4l,fi?d Patented July 21, 1964 sistsonly of two parts, one being the pawl proper and the other being aspring which biases the pawl.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a face or front view of a spin wheel or spinner device madein accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side view thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a back view.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the pawl or clickermechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a similar view of a modified form of pawl or clickermechanism.

Referring now to the details of construction as disclosed in theaccompanying drawing, it will be noted that the spin wheel or spinner 10herein claimed is provided with a foldable tripod type of frame or stand12 on which wheel 14 is rotatably mounted and which also carries a pawlor clicker mechanism 16 which is engageable with said Wheel and moreparticularly pins 18 thereon. The frame or stand consists of a front baror panel 12a having a pair of angularly disposed side wings or flanges12b and 120, respectively, a front centrally disposed leg 13 firmlysecured to said front bar 12a by means of bolts or other fasteningelements 13a, and a pair of side legs 13b and 130, respectively, whichare pivotally secured to said side wings 12b and 12c by means of rivetsor other suitable fastening elements 13d. Arcuate slots 13c are providedin wings 12b and adjacent and concentric with said rivets 13d; and pinsor lugs 13 secured to or struck out from said side legs 13b and 130,ride within and along said slots as said legs are pivoted with respectto the wing elements 12b and 12c. These pins or lugs 131 are engageablewith the ends of their respective slots to serve as stop elementslimiting the angular travel of said side legs. It will be noted thatboth the central leg 13 and the side legs 13b and 13c are channel-shapedelements, combining substantial strength and rigidity with minimalmaterial and weight for low cost sturdy construction.

Wheel 14 may simply be a disc having a plurality of pins 18 providedthereon, said pins being equidistant from each other and from the centerof the disc. In the preferred form of the invention wheel 14 is aplastic molded disc and pins 29 are molded integrally therewith. A boltor other suitable fastening means 20 rotatably supports the wheel on thecentral bar or panel 12a of the frame or tripod stand 12.

It will now be noted that pawl or clicker mechanism 16 comprises agenerally bell crank or L-shaped pawl 16a, pin 56b on which said pawl ispivotally mounted, a pull spring Me which biases said pawl, and a lug16d which serves as a stop element limiting the range of angularmovement of said pawl under the influence of said spring. The pawlmechanism may be mounted within a box or housing 22 which is secured tothe front central bar or panel 12a of the frame by means of bolts orother fastening elements 24. An ear 22a may be struck out of one of theside walls of said box or enclosure to serve as an anchor for one end ofspring 160, which may be hooked thereon. The opposite end of the springmay be hooked into a notch 162 formed in the pawl or clicker. Acompression spring 17 may be substituted for the pull spring 16c, asindicated in FIGURE 5. It will be observed that one end of thecompression spring is slipped over finger 17a on the pawl and theopposite end of said spring is slipped over a lug 17b which is struckout of one of the walls 22]) of housing 22.

It will now be particularly noted that the pivotal axis of the L-shapedpawl, running through pin 16b, is located at one end of the transverseor foot portion of said pawl. The portion of the pawl which isengageable with wheel pins 13 is the upper end of the vertical arm ofsaid pawl. The direction of pull of the spring is generally parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the horizontal or foot portion of said pawl.Consequently, a relatively vertical movement of the vertical portion ofthe pawl is achieved when the pawl pivots about its pin 16:; into andout of engagement with the wheel pins 18. Furthermore, since thisgeneral vertical movement is transverse the direction of pull of thespring, a relatively soft spring pawl action is provided which makes forrelatively little resistance to the rotational movement of the wheel.Furthermore, the strain on the spring is relatively slight and theoperative life of the pawl is lengthened.

To further facilitate the interaction between the pawl and the wheelpins and to assure proper positioning of said pawl between adjacentwheel pins when the wheel is brought to a stop, the upper or operativeend of the pawl is provided with a point 16 flanked on one side by arelatively gentle curve 16g which is virtually aligned with side edge16/1 and on the other side with a more pronounced curve 161' which moreclosely approaches :the horizontal and merges with the opposite sideedge 16j. The normal direction of rotation of the wheel is clockwise, asviewed in FIGURES 1 and 4 and as indicated by curved arrows 30 and 32therein. Consequently, it is the relatively straight curved edge 16gwhich engages the wheel pins 18 as the wheel rotates. Point 16f providesa sharp dividing point or line which prevents the pawl from impingingupon any one of the wheel pins when the wheel is brought to a stop.

It will be observed that a generally disc-shaped face 34, imprinted withsuitable design and indicia 36, is provided on wheel 14. Specifically,this disc constitutes the face of the device and provides thesubstantive material of the game, as distinguished from the purelymechanical parts by which the game is played. Any suitable design may beapplied thereto, as well as such indicia as would be appropriate underthe playing rules of any particular game. The disc may be made of paper,preferably relatively stiff paper, such as oak tag, or it may be made ofsheet plastics or any other suitable material. A relatively stiff gradeof paper is desirable by reason of its low cost, the ease of printingthereon, and the fact that it may be die-cut to desired shape andproportions. More particularly, the disc is provided with a centralopening 34a designed to clear bolt 20 and a plurality of openings 34bdesigned to register with and accommodate pins 18 on the wheel. Openings34b should be of such size as to provide a relatively snug or press fitwith respect to pins 18. The frictional coefficient between the edges ofthe disc defining said holes 34b and the sides of pins 18 would besufficient to hold the disc in place during playing operations. The factthat the wheel is tilted slightly away fromthe vertical, as illustratedin FIGURE 2, would help retain the disc on the wheel. In any event,should it be desired to provide other holding means, such as clips orthe like, this could readily be done within the scope of the invention.Such additional or auxiliary holding means are not, however, deemedessential.

In the playing of this device, one or more discs 34 are placed uponwheel 14, but only the outermost disc (if more than one be mountedthereon) is used at any one time. The wheel is rotated manually inclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, and the several pins 18successively engage the pawl to produce a clicking sound. When the wheelstops, the pawl will be positioned between a pair of adjacent pins, andthe marking on said disc in the space designated by said pawl willdetermine the score or value of that particular turn of the wheel.

The foregoing is illustrative of a preferred form of this invention, andit will be understood that this form may be varied and modified withinthe broad principles of the invention and the broad scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A spin wheel game of the character described, comprising a supportingframe, a plastic wheel rotatably mounted on said frame, a plurality ofcircumferentially located pins molded on said wheel, a pawl mounted onsaid frame for engagement with said pins, and a face element removablymounted on said wheel, said face element being imprinted with theindicia of a game, said frame including a tripod stand, two of the legsof said stand being pivotally mounted relative to the third leg formovement toward said third leg, to render the stand compact for shippingand storing purposes, and away from said leg to support the frame instanding, operative position, said pawl comprising a generallybell-crank-shaped element defining a substantially horizontal footportion and a substantially vertical upright portion connected to oneend of said foot portion, the pivotal axis of the pawl being located atthe opposite end of said horizontal foot portion and the pin engagingportion of the pawl being the upper end of said vertical uprightportion, said pawl being springurged about its said pivotal axis intoengagement with said pins, said upper pin-engaging portion of the pawlbeing provided with a relatively sharp point flanked on one side by acurved portion which is offset but slightly from the vertical andflanked at the opposite side by a curved portion which more closelyapproaches the horizontal, said face element comprising a generallydisc-shaped paper sheet having a plurality of cut out portions adaptedto register with and receive the pins on the wheel, the edges of saidout out portions being in frictional engagement with the sides of thepins to hold said face element in place against said wheel.

2. A spin wheel game in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality ofinterchangeable face elements are provided for simultaneous mounting onsaid wheel, the outermost face element being exposed for playingpurposes, each of said face elements being imprinted with game indiciadiffering from the game indicia of the others.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS285,357 Hamill Sept. 18, 1883 925,853 Tompkins June 22, 1909 1,220,976Gilbert Mar. 27, 1917 2,618,484 Bishop Nov. 18, 1952 2,745,618 VernerMay 15, 1956 2,970,387 Dean Feb. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,797 GreatBritain A.D. 1914 725,843 France Feb. 16, 1932

1. A SPIN WHEEL GAME OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A SUPPORTINGFRAME, A PLASTIC WHEEL ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, A PLURALITY OFCIRCUMFERENTIALLY LOCATED PINS MOLDED ON SAID WHEEL, A PAWL MOUNTED ONSAID FRAME FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PINS, AND A FACE ELEMENT REMOVABLYMOUNTED ON SAID WHEEL, SAID FACE ELEMENT BEING IMPRINTED WITH THEINDICIA OF A GAME, SAID FRAME INCLUDING A TRIPOD STAND, TWO OF THE LEGSOF SAID STAND BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED RELATIVE TO THE THIRD LEG FORMOVEMENT TOWARD SAID THIRD LEG, TO RENDER THE STAND COMPACT FOR SHIPPINGAND STORING PURPOSES, AND AWAY FROM SAID LEG TO SUPPORT THE FRAME INSTANDING, OPERATIVE POSTION, SAID PAWL COMPRISING A GENERALLYBELL-CRANK-SHAPED ELEMENT DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL FOOTPORTION AND A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL UPRIGHT PORTION CONNECTED TO ONEEND OF SAID FOOT PORTION, THE PIVOTAL AXIS OF THE PAWL BEING LOCATED ATTHE OPPOSITE END OF SAID HORIZONTAL FOOT PORTION AND THE PIN ENGAGINGPORTION OF THE PAWL BEING THE UPPER END OF SAID VERTICAL UPRIGHTPORTION, SAID PAWL BEING SPRINGURGED ABOUT ITS SAID PIVOTAL AXIS INTOENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PINS, SAID UPPER PIN-ENGAGING PORTION OF THE PAWLBEING PROVIDED WITH A RELATIVELY SHARP POINT FLANKED ON ONE SIDE BY ACURVED PORTION WHICH IS OFFSET BUT SLIGHTLY FROM THE VERTICAL ANDFLANKED AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE BY A CURVED PORTION WHICH MORE CLOSELYAPPROACHES THE HORIZONTAL, SAID FACE ELEMENT COMPRISING A GENERALLYDISC-SHAPED PAPER SHEET HAVING A PLURALITY OF CUT OUT PORTIONS ADAPTEDTO REGISTER WITH AND RECEIVE THE PINS ON THE WHEEL, THE EDGES OF SAIDCUT OUT PORTIONS BEING IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SIDES OF THEPINS TO HOLD SAID FACE ELEMENT IN PLACE AGAINST SAID WHEEL.